[QUOTE
I am thinking about either painting or staining the cabinets. My question is which method will give me the best result considering that this is my first home improvement project.

[/QUOTE]

We need to do ours too, they are UGLY!!!!!!
We were wondering can you buy molding to put on cabinets? Something made especially for that, or just something to pick from in the wood section?
We are still trying to decide stain or paint.
I really need some answers.

We need to do ours too, they are UGLY!!!!!!
We were wondering can you buy molding to put on cabinets? Something made especially for that, or just something to pick from in the wood section?
We are still trying to decide stain or paint.
I really need some answers.[/QUOTE]

You might want to start a new thread to get more responses to your question.
I don't know about molding for cabinets but in response to your last question, I think staining looks best. From a women's point of view: Most of my friends prefer stained and only went with paint if they had too (because of damage easier to cover up or laminate cabinet).

After careful examination of the cabinets. They are not real oak. Just very thin oak laminate on particle board. Because of this, I wasn't sure if staining will turn out good or not. The number one concern is that sanding this will damage the laminate and expose the particle board.

So we decide to clean the cabinets for now and paint the kitchen. Here are some images. I still haven't remove the paint tape in the pictures. We will replace other appliances with stainless steel appliances.

I will tile the kitchen the living room. After that I will also add crown molding.

Staining keeps it looking more "rustic" with the grain showing. it really depends on your taste. Personally I love painted woods cabinets... but again its all taste. Good lucj! It looks like you have a beautiful kitchen to work with.

I also would like to have a beautiful house but I am about buying aluminum cabinet doors to the kitchen. I would like to know if you know any good company in Denver that manufactures aluminum cabinet doors? what is your experience? C.

Another option is to replace the doors and drawer fronts and just refinish the boxes. You have no idea just how long it's going to take to sand and refinish all those cabinets. Your taking at least a couple of weeks full time to sand, stain and reseal.
Paint will never hold up as well as stain and poly.